CRICKET officials have been accused of double standards after charging icons Brett Lee and Darren Lehmann for speaking out when they were simply telling the truth.

Lee faces a hearing this week for claiming cricket in NSW is a mess following the sacking of coach Anthony Stuart and Lehmann, now Queensland coach, received a suspended fine of $3000 for complaining about Marlon Samuels’ dodgy bowling action during the Big Bash.

Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Paul Marsh claimed he was disappointed with the treatment of Lee and Lehmann.

"I think it is a sad state of affairs when a highly respected and experienced cricket person like Darren has the courage to publicly address an issue that everyone in cricket circles is talking about, but is then charged under the code of behaviour,” Marsh told News Limited.

“The issue of illegal bowling actions is a blight on the game and yet the game, in my opinion, is doing next to nothing to address it.

“Darren's motivation for his comments was to address an issue in the best interests of the game.”

Marsh claimed that Lee’s comments had been measured and well thought out.

“They reflected his personal opinion on the current situation at Cricket NSW,” Marsh said.

“As a player who has long been a part of the Cricket NSW system, why is he not entitled to voice his opinion?

"I am constantly dismayed by the double standards that exist between what players and administrators can say in public.

“Just this week two senior administrators from Cricket Australia were publicly critical of the on and off field performance of the Sydney Thunder.

“I have absolutely no issue with the comments made by these two people, but why then can't a player voice his opinion about the performance of an organisation he has been part of for nearly 20 years?

“Surely constructive criticism isn't the exclusive domain of those running the game."

"In both cases we've seen highly experienced and respected cricket people voice their opinions on issues in the game they believe need to be addressed.

“Their motives were in the interests of improving the game. I think those running the game should be listening to their comments rather than ignoring them and charging them under the code of behaviour.

“If this approach continues I fear that players and coaches will no longer want to risk voicing their opinions on the game's many issues and the game would be far worse off as a result."

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